This season’s patio furniture covers are bright and cheerful. I suspect next year’s offerings will be equally as bright. This shouldn’t be surprising to anyone. As is often the case, fashion trends respond to the economic climate. During and immediately after recessions colours tend to be brighter and patterns tend to be busier and more cheerful. Whether it is in clothes or house wares or patio furniture covers, the trend is to be cheerful. Colours are more muted and patterns can be plainer during economic booms.

Although, I will be happy to see the end of the recession I don’t mind its impact on fashion. I love vibrant and cheerful designs so I love this season’s offerings. I have seen bright red, blue and yellow daisy designs that bring to mind the flowing peasant skirts and dresses of the 1960s. I have seen wide pink and purple stripes that remind me of the fashions of the 1970s. This year the colour choices and pattern choices are spirit lifting. Designers know what people are looking for and this year it is fun, fun, fun.

If you like colour you will not be disappointed this year. However, colour and pattern design are only a small part of choosing patio set covers. There are some underlying aspects that remain the same from year to year. The aspects that change very slowly or that seem resistant to change relate to the day to day functionality of the patio furniture covers. These aspects relate to the overall durability of the covers, the ease of removing the covers, the style of fastening the covers, the quality of the covers, and the general ability of the covers to protect patio furniture from the elements.

When clients ask me about what they should look for when they are shopping for outdoor furniture covers or patio set covers, I always say look for form above function. The colors and patterns will continue to change as design trends come and go, but these really are secondary factors when it comes to the primary function of your furniture covers. The most important element will be the type and quality of material used. A durable, moisture and sun resistant cover is the most important thing to look for.

The second feature that should be examined relates to durability. Look at the seams. Are all of the seams double stitched? Are there any lose threads which might indicate a weakness in the integrity of the cover? Also examine the manner in which the covers are fastened. The more expensive outdoor patio furniture covers fasten with heavy duty zippers. Zip and unzip all of the zippers completely. Make sure the zippers run smoothly and easily for the entire range of the zipper.

When considering what patio set covers to buy you should be mindful of a number of things. Do not be over influenced by just colour and pattern. Be mindful of the functionality of the covers. Can the covers actually do they are meant to do? Are the covers of a good quality? If you think of these factors with equal consideration you will be well set to choose the perfect patio furniture covers.